The Education Blog

8:47 am

Fri March 21, 2014

NEARI Teachers Go With Pell

One of Rhode Island's two teachers' unions, the National Education Association Rhode Island, has endorsed democrat Clay Pell in the race for governor.

NEARI President Larry Purtill says this gubernatorial race will play a crucial role in the future of public education.

"We need a candidate who will listen to educators, stop the testing craze and make sure that every Rhode Island student has the opportunity for a great public school education," Purtill said in a written statement.

Rhode Island's other teachers' union, the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, has yet to make an endorsement, but NEARI was expected to back Pell, according to my colleague Scott MacKay.

NEARI represents many of Rhode Island's suburban school teachers, while RIFT represents more of the urban and urban ring districts, including Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Cranston and Warwick.